The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-06-09
A BACHELORS REV ARD,
BY GEORGE TRACE.

1t was a cold January day. John
Steele sst alone in his Office in the midst
of deep revcrie.
1t was seldom that he was idle, as he
was at the present time, but this evening
tho memories of the past came focking
upon him like ghosts from another land.
John Steele was bachelor of forty.
He had been born and reared poor boy,
in the little town of NJ, and had
never felt desire to leave it. He had
studied law and plodded along year after
year in the dingy, grimy office, in which
we find him now, and had grown rich.
He had no | ersonal friends, and lived
alone in large, old frame house at the
outskirts of the town, with a man SER
want as cook and general man. of-all
work.
Years and years before, when young
man of twenty, poor and aimless, Steele
had loved a girl whose parents would
not let her marry him because he was so
worthless. In his rage he blamed her
for this and would listen to no reason,
and from that day had hated women
and had led solitary life. 1t was this
scene that now held John Steele in his
office chair, as the mantle of night
gathered over the town.
"Moro than twenty years ago." he
mused, "and l don't believe have ever
spoken to woman, except on business,
since that day. They say she married
no. account wretch after all, who has
sunk down to poverty and want. Well,
well, must not waste time thinking
about such things now. l was only 9
boy then, and did not know what
wanted. l must be going" Where.
upon he arose, buttoned his coat about
him, locked his office and trudged OF
his homeward journey.
Rumor had it about town that, al.
though by her parents Influence, Katie
Drew had married shortly after her re-
fusal of Steele, that she had loved hin
dearly. This was most likely true, Lu
as twenty years had past, the matter had
faded from the general mind to give way
to more lively gossip.
Steele ate his supper in silence. Viii.
liam, his man Of all-work had a very
good meal prepared; for, though Steele
was close listed he believed in good eat
ing, good clothes and comfortable liv
ing.
NOW, William" said Steele, wher
he had finished, eff you fix me W
enough food to do me tomorrow, yo,
may have holiday. And here is youl
money and five dollars to have a time
with. No holiday for me; don't nect
any and don't want any"
'Thank you, Mr.. Steele, for YOU
goodness" said William. "But, Mr.
Steele, don't you never take any littl'
extra pleasure at ala You know
used to know you when you was littl'
fellow; and can remember seeing you
good mother holding you up at the ole
church so you could see the Christina
tree. And you was wee little tao
then, and you clapped your little hand
in glee and your mother would kiss you
baby face and talk baby talk to you. !
don't seem like that was near forty year
ago, Mr. Steele, but it was"
"Confouud the fellow" grumblc
Steele, as he sat down in his room tina
night to read. 'If l should listen t
him he would upset me. don't kno1
what is the matter with nc this evenin
anyhow. 1 never felt so queer in m
life. Iguess am using too much to
bacco Of late"
He read until bedtime, and was in tn
act of taking off his boots, when h
heard knock at the front door.
"Wonder who that is" he thought
Something unusual at this place."
He listened moment and there cam
another knock.
"What the deuce can that William b
doing that he don't 60 the door2' sal
Steele. 81 want to 60 to bed, and
may be some one that wants me. T
borrow money, guess. Well, unlcs
they have good security, not c.nt d
they get"
At this juncture, William opened th
door. Steele heard an in6istinct col
yersation and then William conducte
the visitor to the kitchen. After sou
moments William came walking into Il
room.
"WelI, what is It'll"
Excuse me, Mr.. Steele, but there
poor woman in the kitchen who neec
some help badly. Pm sure she docs, f
she don't look as common begga
She says she has walked through Il
cold all the way from the last town, ar
is most dead"
"Yes, that is what they all sa
Give her something to cat and send h
on"
''But ! wish you would come and s
her,"
Bother these beggars," mumbl'
Steele. but I guess Pll go down
get rid of her,"
Steele saw black figure sitting by Il
fire.
"Well,n he said to her. when he el